COCONUT GROVE, FLA. (WSVN) - Maurice Ferré, Miami’s first Hispanic mayor, the first Puerto Rican mayor in the U.S. and the politician regarded as the father of modern-day Miami, has died. He was 84.
Ferré, a proud graduate from the University of Miami, knew his purpose was taking the path of politics, but it wasn’t so easy for the immigrant, who was born in 1935 in Puerto Rico.
“He was the person that convinced the establishment and the people of Miami back in the ’70s and the late ’60s that we were supposed to be an inclusive city,” former Miami Mayor Tomas Regalado said.
After college, Ferré served in the Florida House of Representatives from 1967 until 1968.
In 1973, he became Miami’s first Hispanic and the country’s first Puerto Rican mayor and served for 12 years in office.
From Brickell to Bayside, Ferré helped shaped the Magic City and set it on a path to become what he envisioned: a truly international city.
“What I’m doing in Miami,” Ferré said, “the effort, time, energy and sacrifice that is required, I wouldn’t do this anywhere else.”
Ferré served as an inspiration for future generations, including current Miami Mayor Francis Suarez.
“He is someone who is the father of the modern Miami,” Suarez said, “and so for me, as the new Mayor of Miami, as someone from another generation, I stand on the shoulders of people like Mayor Ferré.”
With his wife Mercedes by his side, he continued to serve the community for decades after leaving office and always worked to make South Florida a better place.
“For me, Maurice Ferré was the ultimate visionary,” Former Miami-Dade County Mayor Alex Penelas said. “He was a man who knew you had to govern today but always with an eye for what’s gonna happen 10, 15, 20 years down the road– a rare, rare ability in today’s politics, where you’re constantly just looking out for what’s gonna happen right away. He always had his eye on the future, and that’s the big lesson he left for everyone else.”
In January, the city’s former mayors joined Suarez to honor Ferré and dedicated a park to honor his legacy of giving back to the people and the place he loved so much.
“I want my legacy to be the love of Miami,” Ferré said. “I want this to be a Miami for all the people of Miami.”
The flags at Miami City Hall flew at half-staff in honor of the late mayor, Thursday.
“It especially warms the hearts of the family to see the outpouring of support and love from all that he’s touched, served and worked with,” family spokesperson Manny Alfonso said.
Ferré’s family has invited the public to attend a mass on Thursday, Sept. 26 at 10 a.m. at St. Mary’s Cathedral, 7525 NW 2nd Ave., in Miami’s Little Haiti neighborhood.
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